Cathedrals in England

Truro Cathedral was begun in 1880, the first purpose-built English cathedral in over 800 years. The architect was JL Pearson, who retained part of the existing Tudor church on the site to create a 'church within a church'. The result is an exquisite example of Victorian Gothic, with outstanding stained glass and a world-famous organ.
14 St Mary's Street, Truro, Cornwall, England, TR1 2AF

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Heritage Highlight: Superb Victorian stained glass by Clayton & Bell

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One of the finest early Gothic cathedrals in Europe, Wells is famed for its extraordinary west front, replete with carved statues of Biblical figures, and for its superb chapter house, reached by a worn, curving set of stone steps. The nave is braced by unique scissor vault, pierced by huge round eyelets. In the north transept is a 14th century mechanical clock. The best views of the cathedral are from the moated Bishop's Palace next door, home of the powerful bishops of Bath and Wells since the 10th century.

Cathedral Green, Wells, Somerset, England, BA5 2UE

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Heritage Highlight: Fantastic west screen carvings

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Westminster Abbey is the most important historic church in England. The abbey was begun by Edward the Confessor, who lived just long enough to see it consecrated on December 28, 1065. Edward's tomb is behind the high altar. Just a week after Edward's death, Harold Goodwineson was crowned in the Abbey, and every monarch since then has followed suit (except Edward V and Edward VIII, neither of whom was ever officially crowned). Little of the Confessor's original church remains, beyond the undercroft and the Chamber of the Pyx, because in 1245 Henry III decided to rebuild the whole thing. The crowning architectural addition to the Abbey is Henry VII's amazing chapel, with its intricate fan vaulting. So many famous people are buried at Westminster - monarchs, politicians, scientists, artists, and so many literary giants that Poet's Corner was created.
20 Dean's Yard, London, Greater London, England, SW1P 3PA

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Heritage Highlight: Tomb of Edward the Confessor - and Henry VII's amazing chapel

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The most imposing and most important Catholic church in England, a marvel in multi-coloured brick. Westminster Cathedral (not to be confused with Westminster Abbey!) was designed by John Francis Bentley in extravagant Byzantine style. It was begun in 1895 and finished 8 years later.
42 Francis Street, Victoria London, Greater London, England, SW1P 1QW

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Not your ordinary cathedral - Whipsnade is a quiet green space planted with trees to create the outline of a church, with nave, transepts, a cloister walk, choir, and chancel. The entire 'green cathedral' covers 26 acres.
Whipsnade, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, England, LU6 2LQ

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Winchester was a bishop's see as early as 662 AD and Alfred the Great established a church here. That Saxon church was completely rebuilt by the Normans beginning in 1079. Parts of the Norman church can be seen in the crypt and transepts. Much of the remainder dates to the 14th century and is largely Perpendicular in style. There is a marvellous Norman font of black marble, and in the presbytery you will find the tomb of William II. On top of the presbytery screens are 16th century mortuary chests with bones of pre-Norman kings, including Canute.
9 The Close, Winchester, Hampshire, England, SO23 9LS

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Home to St. Oswald, a Saxon bishop in the late 10th century, whose shrine is incorporated in the 11th century crypt. St. Wulstan was bishop at the time of the Norman Conquest, and he was the only Anglo-Saxon bishop to retain his see, due to his sermons preaching that the English defeat was a judgement on the native inhabitants for their sins. Wulstan began the building of a new church in 1082, and when he was canonised in 1203 the resulting pilgrims created a welcome new source of revenue. King John is buried here in a wonderful tomb of Purbeck marble. Much of the exterior, including both east and west fronts, is Victorian restoration work.
The Chapter Office, 8 College Yard Worcester, Worcestershire, England, WR1 2LA

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Heritage Highlight: Shrine of St Oswald, and the tomb of King John

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